In-vitro evaluation of the interactions between herbal drug (Gardenia latifolia Ait) and antibiotic (Streptomycin)

Abstract

The effect of combinations of the ethanol extract of Gardnia latifolia leaf and antibiotics was investigated by means of fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) indices as well as by the use of time kill assays. The activity of streptomycin was increased up to 10-fold when the combined mixture of G. latifolia and antibiotic was used against microbial pathogens. The herb-drug interactions tested by checkerboard method and expressed as fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index, showed synergistic effects. The synergism is a new concept of developing drug molecule for treating drug resistant bacteria and prevent emergence of new drug resistant bacteria. We conclude that the ethanol extract of G. latifolia can be a potential source of broad spectrum antibiotics resistance modifying compounds.